View report page

18
There is the less excuse in the case of Milk, because the lactometer
tells a story, which, although not the whole truth, would
afford a means of judging very fairly. It is true that a low specific
gravity may bo the indication of a Milk very rich in cream, but
this can generally be ascertained by the eye, and also by the
creamometer.
It is a very common opinion that the low specific gravity of a
Milk is often occasioned by frequent dipping. Now the very contrary
is the case. But, as this opinion has been freely given in
Court, it may be as well to give it a decided contradiction.
I have already stated that I have made 128 analyses, and of
these 91 were of Milks. Every analysis of an adulterated Milk
has been made in duplicate. Although this practice greatly increases
the labors of the Analyst, it is the more fair to the defendant,
as it is impossible quite correctly to estimate the fat after the Milk
has become sour, and as the proportion of the water suffers an
increase, the greater, according to the inferiority of tho Milk.
According to my experience the quantity, of ash, and its nature,
are amongst the very best tests of the quality of a Milk.

As it may be a matter of interest to the parishioners to know
the number of cases taken into Court, the convictions obtained,
and tho amount of fines inflicted, I subjoin the following account.
Twenty-two persons were summoned for adulterating Milk. One,
who had assaulted the Inspector, disappeared from the district;
another, a very poor woman, was dismissed with a severe caution;
the other twenty were convicted, and mulcted in the sum of
£84 6s. 6d. Were I to include No. 129, which was also taken
in the month of March, the fines and costs would amount together
to £104 17s Under the new Act these fines would be paid to
the Parish. This, then, is the practical result of nine months'